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I might be taking a three-year assignment in Europe (Holland) and I'm trying to decide if I should take my C1 (1960) along or store it. Any suggestions? I know all about the gas prices and that's not a consideration. What about shipping? Is there a "support system" over there - i.e., clubs, activities, parts availability? Also, if I decide to leave it here, any suggestions on storage on the east coast?
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Re: Vettes in Europe
Your post just gave me a good reason to present to my wife as to why I need to build a multi-car garage on my ajoining lot. I rent out three stalls for Corvette storage and get me a mid-year. -
Re: Vettes in Europe
I would say take it with you to Europe. There are many Corvette Clubs as well as an NCRS Chapter. Go to http://data.corvette.co.uk:8080/ecar.../ncrs/ncrs.htm for one link and http://www.corvetteclub.org.uk for another.Comment
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Re: Vettes in Europe
As Gary Bishop said there ARE Corvette shops, clubs, and fun to be had with your car in Europe. The UK Chapter Judging Chairman, Tom Falconer, runs a well known shop just outside London (sales and service) plus there are others. There's a very active Corvette club 'next door' in Belgium who do road trips, Etc. When it's time for the 24-hours of Le Mans, you'll find both Chevrolet and the French Corvette clubs team up to promote road trips to the track as well as VIP viewing. You will NOT be 'alone' across the pond.... Perhaps in the minority, but expect your car to turn heads on the street!Comment
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Oh....
on shipping, you should SHOP around for prices! Expect them to vary considerably depending on which side of the Atlantic you're getting quotes from, what destination port you ship to, and how you will freight. At certain times of the year (off-season), I've been told you can get the job done for as little as $400 IF you have the car at a port city of departure and opt for deck surface freight vs. packing it in a container.
The first time I heard of deck surface transport, I shuddered at the thought...open, exposed!!!! Then, some explained that that's how the car mfgr's do it (no container--drive on/drive off) for two reasons: (1) lower cost, (2) places burden of care and due diligence squarely on the shoulders of the carrier (no container to 'hide' damage due to theft/shoddy in-transit handling).
I'd go talk to SEVERAL freight forwarders for advice/counsel and rate comparison. Before you figure you know the 'score' and opt for a particular route, method, carrier. Even at $6/gal, it well might pay for your time to take the car to an inobvious port of departure and collect it at another inobvious destination port!Comment
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Take it, take it, take it, take it!
I live in sunny (?) Switzerland and there are more damn Vettes here in Europe than you can shake a stick at. Every year, Super Corvette Sunday is held near here in a town called Buchs. My wife and I took the '67 and we got there at around 11 am, and were assigned number 582. Corvettes were arriving all day and I heard rumors of over 750 Corvettes.
No, dude, take it with you and take a nice long European drive with your baby down through France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. You will never regret it, nor will you ever forget it.
Hell I buy all my parts from the US anyway.
Save the Wave - they have it here too!
Bill 33186Comment
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Vettes in Europe
Thank you all. I'm convinced. I didn't think I'd be able to stand a three-year separation anyway. Bill, maybe I'll see you in Switzerland sometime.Comment
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Re: Vettes in Europe
Tom,
Go for it.
If I can manage another overseas basing,I'm taking my '70 LS5 across too.
You want to see those nice young French ladies heads turn!
Nothing like the echo effect of a big block taking over the village roads in the South of France...trust me..Been there..Done it!
Let us know where you are.
JimComment
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